Senate Dems Look to Delay Votes on Trump Nominees

As few as two of Donald Trump's nominees will get a confirmation vote on Friday after he is sworn in as president, the Washington Examiner reports.

The website noted the number is in contrast to the seven nominees Republicans helped clear on President Barack Obama's first day in office in 2009.

Democrats are vowing to hold extended floor debates on each one of Trump's Cabinet picks. The move could leave Trump's Cabinet with vacancies for weeks, according to the Examiner.

Senate Democrats blame Republicans for not agreeing to longer committee hearings on the nominees and they also note some of the nominees failed to submit required paperwork in time for a complete review.

"We intend to have a full and rigorous debate on the president-elect's remaining nominees," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said. "Senate Republicans did not want to have a full debate on the merits of these nominees in committee, but they should be prepared to do so on the floor of the United States Senate."

Democrats are powerless to stop Trump's picks from clearing with a simple majority vote in the Senate. But the website said they can prolong it for weeks by refusing to agree to a quick voting schedule.

Even Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., is not expected to get a quick vote from his colleagues.
"He did submit papers in time and we did get two days of hearings," Schumer acknowledged.

"His hearing is one of the few that went decently well. But, there are so many issues people have that my colleagues want to continue the debate on the Senate floor."

Meanwhile, Fox News reported Republicans are pushing for more confirmations on Friday.

"Seven sounds like a good number," said Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas. "Seven is the number in 2009. I would expect parity."

But Trump is only likely to get three or four confirmed on Friday, according to Fox.